Confidential: It's official: Ed Diana rules out a run for Congress

Republicans have eyed Rep. John Hall's seat almost since the day the Democrat snatched it from one of their own — 12-year incumbent Sue Kelly — in 2006.

Republicans have eyed Rep. John Hall's seat almost since the day the Democrat snatched it from one of their own — 12-year incumbent Sue Kelly — in 2006.

Orange County Executive Ed Diana has been mentioned as a possible challenger, but he ended the speculation on Monday during a discussion with the Times Herald-Record editorial board.

"Have I been asked? Yes," he said. "Am I running? No."

Diana's not up for re-election until next year, and he laughed at the notion of announcing his candidacy so soon. But he'd already hinted at his political plans by saying his plan to build a new county government center was a "project for another term."

The only announced Republican candidate for New York's 19th Congressional District is Kieran Michael Lalor, a 31-year-old Iraq veteran from Peekskill. Millionaire Andrew Saul declared his candidacy but backed out of the race, and former state Assemblyman Howard Mills passed.

Chris McKenna

Inflatable snowmen are just asking to be kicked around, but we thought the manger scene was still sacred.

Last year, vandals kidnapped the baby Jesus from the manger scene outside the Walton Engine & Hose Company in Chester. This year, some time on New Year's Eve, someone again crossed the chicken wire surrounding the scene, knocked over a few of the ceramic Wise Men and then smashed the head off the Jesus figure.

"It happens almost every year. I don't know why people mess with that thing," said village police Chief Pete Graziano.

Police are still investigating, although there are no witnesses. No one was caught last year, either, Graziano said.

"No, we've never been able to nail anybody down."

Raja Abdulrahim

Tuesday night's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" hit close to home with an episode about an investigation into the sexual assault of a Jewish boy, which uncovers a disturbing pattern of abuse when other young victims come forward. The case is hampered by the boy's secretive and protective religious community.

Titled, "Orthodox," the show shows a victim turning to his rabbi to take him away from the abuse at school.

The rabbi takes him to a close-knit religious community north of New York City (we see a map showing Florida and Warwick). Next we see two city cops pull up to an Orthodox community that looks very much like Kiryas Joel, but with a different name.

Those curious can catch a repeat of the episode scheduled for 9 p.m. Saturday on NBC-TV.

Barry Lewis

Monroe Temple Beth-El, the Jewish Community of Orange County and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh are teaming up to renovate a home for a needy and deserving family in Orange County. The inspiration for this particular project comes from the example set by the late Mike Levine, longtime columnist and, at the time of his death, executive editor of the Times Herald-Record.

For more than 20 years, Levine championed the causes of the little guy and exhorted readers to help their neighbors. As organizers of the effort note: "This Habitat project is "¦ about our community, who we are and who we can be. It is about our values, our traditions, our commitment to social justice and community "¦ the very values Mike fought for his entire life."

The project, which originated with members of Levine's Monroe temple, is seeking donations and support. For more information, go to habitatnewburgh.org or monroetemple.org